Networking cards with increased performance

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide a networking card arrangement with increased thermal performance. An example arrangement includes a primary network card that defines a first card-to-board connection and a networking chipset supported by the primary network card. The arrangement also includes an auxiliary network card that defines a second card-to-board connection and networking cable connectors supported by the auxiliary network card that receive networking cables therein. The arrangement further includes a card connection element that operably connects the primary network card and the auxiliary network card. In an operational configuration in which the primary network card and the auxiliary network card are received by a server board via the first card-to-board connection and the second card-to-board connection, the primary network card is spaced from the auxiliary network card such that air may pass therebetween.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/436,157, filed Jun. 10, 2019, and entitled“NETWORKING CARDS WITH INCREASED THERMAL PERFORMANCE,” which applicationis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to networkconnection systems and, more particularly, to systems and apparatusesfor improving performance of network cards.

BACKGROUND

Datacenters and other networking systems may include connections betweenswitch systems, servers, racks, and devices in order to provide forsignal transmission between one or more of these elements. Suchconnections may be made using cables, transceivers, networking boxes,printed circuit boards (PCBs), cage receptacles, and connectorassemblies, each of which may generate heat during operation. Over time,these systems may experience signal degradation, system componentfailure, or the like as a result of the heat generated by thesecomponents.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Apparatuses and associated methods of manufacturing are provided fornetworking card arrangements with increased thermal performance. Anexample networking card arrangement may include a primary network cardthat defines a first card-to-board connection, and a networking chipsetsupported by the primary network card. The arrangement may furtherinclude an auxiliary network card that defines a second card-to-boardconnection and one or more networking cable connectors supported by theauxiliary network card. Each networking cable connector may beconfigured to receive a networking cable therein. The arrangement mayfurther include a card connection element that operably connects theprimary network card and the auxiliary network card such that electricalsignals may be transmitted therebetween. In an operational configurationin which the primary network card and the auxiliary network card arereceived by a server board via the first card-to-board connection andthe second card-to-board connection, the primary network card is spacedfrom the auxiliary network card such that air may pass therebetween.

In some embodiments, the primary network card may further define a firstsurface supporting the networking chipset and a second surface oppositethe first surface. In such an embodiment, the auxiliary network card mayfurther define a first surface supporting the one or more networkingcable connectors and a second surface opposite the first surface. In theoperational configuration, the primary network card and the auxiliarynetwork card may be positioned such that the first surface of theprimary network card is proximate the second surface of the auxiliarynetwork card.

In some embodiments, in the operational configuration, the primarynetwork card and the auxiliary network card may be positionedsubstantially perpendicular with respect to the server board. In somecases, the card connection element comprises a flexible printed circuitboard (PCB) or wire harness.

In some further embodiments, the networking card arrangement may furtherinclude a secondary network card that defines a third card-to-boardconnection, one or more secondary networking cable connectors thatreceive a networking cable therein, and a secondary card connectionelement that operably connects the primary network card and thesecondary network card such that electrical signals may be transmittedtherebetween. In the operational configuration, the secondary networkcard may be configured to be received by the server board via the thirdcard-to-board connection such that the secondary network card is spacedfrom the primary network card such that air may pass therebetween. Thesecondary network card may further define a first surface supporting theone or more networking cable connectors and a second surface oppositethe first surface. In the operational configuration, the primary networkcard and the secondary network card may be positioned such that thefirst surface of the secondary network card is proximate the secondsurface of the primary network card.

Apparatuses and associated methods of manufacturing are also providedfor networking card arrangements with dynamical power management andredistribution. An example networking card arrangement may include aprimary network card that defines a first card-to-board connection, anda networking chipset supported by the primary network card. Thearrangement may further include an auxiliary network card that defines asecond card-to-board connection and power management circuitry supportedby the auxiliary network card. The arrangement may further include acard connection element that operably connects the primary network cardand the auxiliary network card such that electrical signals may betransmitted therebetween. In an operational configuration in which theprimary network card and the auxiliary network card are received by aserver board via the first card-to-board connection and the secondcard-to-board connection, the primary network card is spaced from theauxiliary network card such that air may pass therebetween.Additionally, in the operational configuration, the power managementcircuitry may direct power from the auxiliary network card to thenetworking chipset of the primary network card via the card connectionelement.

In some embodiments, the primary network card may further define a firstsurface supporting the networking chipset and a second surface oppositethe first surface. In such an embodiment, the auxiliary network card mayalso define a first surface supporting the power management circuitryand a second surface opposite the first surface. In the operationalconfiguration, the primary network card and the auxiliary network cardmay be positioned such that the first surface of the primary networkcard is proximate the second surface of the auxiliary network card.

In some embodiments, the power management circuitry may include a powersource configured to generate power for directing to the networkingchipset of the primary network card.

In other embodiments, the power management circuitry may be configuredto, in the operational configuration, direct power supplied to theauxiliary network card by the second card-to-board connection to thenetworking chipset of the primary network card.

In some embodiments, the networking card arrangement may also includeone or more networking cable connectors supported on the auxiliarynetwork card and each networking cable connector may be configured toreceive a networking cable therein. In such an embodiment, the powermanagement circuitry may be further configured to direct power suppliedto the auxiliary network card from one or more networking cablesreceived by the one or more networking cable connectors to thenetworking chipset of the primary network card.

The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing someexample embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects ofthe invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that theabove-described embodiments are merely examples and should not beconstrued to narrow the scope or spirit of the invention in any way. Itwill be appreciated that the scope of the invention encompasses manypotential embodiments in addition to those here summarized, some ofwhich will be further described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having described certain example embodiments of the present disclosurein general terms above, reference will now be made to the accompanyingdrawings. The components illustrated in the figures may or may not bepresent in certain embodiments described herein. Some embodiments mayinclude fewer (or more) components than those shown in the figures.

FIGS. 1A-1B are front and back views, respectively, of a networking cardarrangement according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the networking card arrangement ofFIG. 1 in an operational configuration according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the networking card arrangement ofFIG. 1 in an operational configuration according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the networking card arrangement of FIG. 1 in anoperational configuration according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is front perspective view of an alternative networking cardarrangement in an operational configuration according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the alternative networking card arrangement ofFIG. 5 in an operational configuration according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing anetworking card arrangement according to an example embodiment;

FIGS. 8A-8B are front and back views, respectively, of anothernetworking card arrangement according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the networking card arrangement ofFIG. 8 in an operational configuration according to an exampleembodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a back perspective view of the networking card arrangement ofFIG. 8 in an operational configuration according to an exampleembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As usedherein, terms such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” etc. are used forexplanatory purposes in the examples provided below to describe therelative position of certain components or portions of components.Furthermore, as would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art inlight of the present disclosure, the terms “substantially” and“approximately” indicate that the referenced element or associateddescription is accurate to within applicable engineering tolerances.

As discussed herein, the example embodiment is described with referenceto networking cable connectors (e.g., cable receptacle or the like) thatis configured to receive a Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP)connector as the networking cable. The embodiments of the presentdisclosure, however, may be equally applicable for use with anyconnector (e.g., Small Form Pluggable (SFP), C-Form-factor Pluggable(CFP), and the like). Moreover, the embodiments of the present inventionmay also be used with any cable (e.g., passive copper cable (PCC),active copper cable (ACC), or the like) or interconnect utilized bydatacenter racks and associated switch modules (e.g., an active opticalmodule (AOM), QSFP transceiver module, or the like).

As noted above and described hereafter, networking systems, such asthose found in datacenters, may establish inter-rack connections betweenracks and intra-rack connections between networking boxes, PCBs, and thelike located within the same rack. These connections often rely upontransceivers, processors, chipsets, PCBs, and other networkingcomponents that generate heat during operation. This heat generation maydamage networking components over time by conducting heat betweenadjacent components and/or increasing the ambient temperature for allnetworking components in the system. Furthermore, traditional attemptsto cool these components rely upon air circulation (e.g., convectivecooling) in which upstream components often preheat the air such thatdownstream components fail to receive sufficiently cool air foreffective convective cooling. Furthermore, the costs associated withcooling these traditional systems increase (e.g., require increased fanspeed) as the power of networking devices (and associated heat output)increase. In order to address these issues and others, the devices ofthe present disclosure provide a primary network card for supportingnetworking components and an auxiliary network card for supportingnetworking components. The networking card arrangement describedhereafter positions these network cards such that air may pass betweenthe primary network card and the auxiliary network card to provideincreased thermal performance for the networking components supportedthereon.

As described hereafter, network cards and associated communicationsystems are often constrained by regulations (e.g., industry standardsor the like) that define acceptable spacing between components, regulatethe overall size of these components, specify the types of connectionsbetween components, limit the power supplied to a relevant connection,and the like. By way of example, network cards may be, in operation,connected via card-to-board connectors to a server board, and the serverboard may in some instances supply power to one or more componentssupported by the network card. This power supplied to the network cardmay be limited, for example, to 75 W per card-to-board connection, or toany other standard specification limitation. As such, the operation ofsome components may be restricted, throttled, or the like by the powerlimitations associated with the card-to-board connection. In order toaddress these issues and others, the devices of the present disclosureprovide power management circuitry on an auxiliary network card so as todynamically redistribute or otherwise direct power between networkcards.

Networking Card Arrangement

With reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, an example networking card arrangement100 (e.g., arrangement 100) for network connections is illustrated. Asshown, the arrangement 100 may include a primary network card 102, anetworking chipset 106 supported by the primary network card 102, anauxiliary network card 112, and one or more networking cable connectors116 supported by the auxiliary network card 112. The primary networkcard 102 may define a first card-to-board connection 104 configured to,in an operational configuration such as shown in FIGS. 2-6, communicablycouple the primary network card 102 with a substrate (e.g., server board200, PCB, or the like) via a corresponding element (e.g., card slots 202or the like) of the substrate. Similarly, the auxiliary network card 112may define a second card-to-board connection 114 configured to, in anoperational configuration, communicably couple the auxiliary networkcard 112 with a substrate (e.g., server board 200, PCB, or the like) viaa corresponding element (e.g., card slots 202 or the like) of thesubstrate. As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art inlight of the present disclosure, the card-to board connections 104, 114may enable electrical signals to pass between the primary network card102 and a substrate and the auxiliary network card 112 and thesubstrate. Furthermore, the card-to-board connections 104, 144 mayenable power to be supplied to the primary network card 102 andauxiliary network card 112, respectively. While illustrated herein withperipheral component interconnect express (PCIe) components, the presentdisclosure contemplates that the connections between the primary networkcard 102, the auxiliary network card 112, and a substrate may beaccomplished via any interface for connecting networking components.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, the primary network card 102may define a first surface 108 configured to support the networkingchipset 106. The primary network card 102 may further define a secondsurface 110 located opposite the first surface 108 (e.g., a printsurface 110). As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art inlight of the present disclosure, network cards are often constrained byregulations (e.g., industry standards or the like) that defineacceptable spacing between components and regulate the overall size ofthese components. As such, the second surface 110 of the primary networkcard 102 may, due to applicable regulations, define a print surface orside in which no networking components are supported.

The first surface 108 of the primary network card 102 may be configuredto support a networking chipset 106 thereon. The networking chipset 106may be configured to control operation of one or more networkingcomponents of the arrangement 100. The networking chipset 106 may beembodied in any number of different ways and may, for example, includeone or more processing devices configured to perform independently.Furthermore, the networking chipset 106 may be understood to include asingle core processor, a multi-core processor, and/or the like. By wayof example, the networking chipset 106 may be configured to executeinstructions stored in a memory or otherwise accessible to one or moreprocessors of the networking chipset 106. Alternatively or additionally,the networking chipset 106 may be configured to execute hard-codedfunctionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or by acombination of hardware with software, the networking chipset 106 mayrepresent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable ofperforming operations according to an embodiment of the presentinvention while configured accordingly. While the first surface 108 ofthe primary network card 102 is illustrated and described herein withreference to a single networking chipset 106, the present disclosurecontemplates that the primary network card 102 may support and/or defineother networking elements (e.g., electrical traces, memory, circuitry,and/or the like) based upon the intended application of the arrangement100.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, the networking card arrangement100 (e.g., arrangement 100) may also include an auxiliary network card112 that may define a first surface 118 configured to support one ormore networking cable connectors 116. Similar to the primary networkcard 102, the auxiliary network card 112 may also define a secondsurface 120 located opposite the first surface 118 (e.g., a printsurface 120). The second surface 120 of the auxiliary network card 112may, due to applicable regulations, define a print surface or side inwhich no networking components are supported.

As shown, the arrangement 100 may include cable connectors 116configured to, in an operational configuration, receive a networkingcable (not shown) therein. The cable connectors 116 may define anopening 117 through which the networking cable may be inserted into thecable connectors 116, and during operation, the networking cable (notshown) may transmit electrical/optical signals to the arrangement 100and/or may receive electrical/optical signals from the arrangement 100.Furthermore, the networking cable (not shown) received by the cableconnectors 116 may also, in some embodiments, at least partially supplypower to the auxiliary card 114 and, via the card connection element 122described hereafter, may also at least partially supply power to thecomponents of the primary network card 102. While illustrated in FIGS.1A-1B with two networking cable connectors 116 each configured toreceive a respective networking cable therein, the networking cardarrangement 100 (e.g., the auxiliary network card 112) of the presentdisclosure may include any number of networking cable connectors 116based upon the application of the arrangement 100.

The networking card arrangement 100 may further define a card connectionelement 122 (for example, shown in FIG. 2) configured to operablyconnect the primary network card 102 and the auxiliary network card 112such that electrical signals may be transmitted therebetween. By way ofexample, the networking chipset 106 may transmit an electrical signalfrom the primary network card 102 via the card connection element 122 tothe cable connectors 116 of the auxiliary network card 112, and viceversa. In some embodiments, the card connection element 122 comprises aflexible printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, the cardconnection element 122 comprises a wire harness. While illustratedherein with a flexible PCB as the card connection element 122, thepresent disclosure contemplates that any connection feature forproviding high speed electrical communication between the primarynetwork card 102 and the auxiliary network card 112 may be used. Aswould be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of thepresent disclosure, the electrical signals transmitted between theprimary network card 102 and the auxiliary network card 112 via the cardconnection element 122 may refer to electrical power (e.g., suppliedelectrical current) configured to power operation of components of thenetworking card arrangement 100.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the networking card arrangement 100 isillustrated in an operational configuration in which the primary networkcard 102 and the auxiliary network card 112 are received by a serverboard 200 via the first card-to-board connection 104 and the secondcard-to-board connection 114. As described above, the card-to boardconnections 104, 114 may enable electrical signals (e.g., andpower/electrical current as described hereafter) to pass between theprimary network card 102 and the server board 200 and the auxiliarynetwork card 112 and the server board 200. In order to facilitate thisconnection, the server board 200 may define one or more slottedconnections 202 (e.g., PCIe slots) configured to receive thecard-to-board connections 104, 114 of the arrangement 100. As shown inFIGS. 2-4, the primary network card 102 and the auxiliary network card112 may be positioned (via engagement between the slotted connections202 and the card-to-board connections 104, 114) substantiallyperpendicular with respect to the server board 200. While illustratedand described herein with the network cards 102, 112 and the serverboard 200 positioned substantially perpendicular to each other, thepresent disclosure contemplates that the card-to-board connections 104,114 may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) so as to position thenetwork cards 102, 112 at any location or orientation on the serverboard 200 based upon the intended application of the arrangement 100.

With continued reference to the operational configuration of FIGS. 2-4,the primary network card 102 and the auxiliary network card 112 may bepositioned such that the first surface 108 of the primary network card102 is proximate the second surface 120 of the auxiliary network card112. In this way, the primary network card 102 may support thenetworking chipset 106 such that no other networking components areproximate the networking chipset 106. Said differently, given that thesecond side 120 of the auxiliary network card 112 does not supportnetworking components (e.g., a print side 120), the heat generated bythe networking chipset 106 during operation may not affect performanceof other networking components (e.g., networking cable connectors 116)of the arrangement 100. In this way, the auxiliary network card 112 mayalso support the networking cable connectors 116 (e.g., configured toreceive networking cables (not shown) therein) such that no othernetworking components are proximate the networking cable connectors 116.As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of thepresent disclosure, the networking cables (not shown) received by theone or more networking cable connectors 116 may generate heat duringoperation (e.g., QSFPs or other transceivers) that traditionallyaffected operation of other networking devices. Given that the firstside 118 of the auxiliary network card 112 is opposite the networkingchipset 106 in the operational configuration, the networking cables (notshown) received by the networking cable connectors 116 may not affectperformance of other networking components (e.g., networking chipset106) of the arrangement 100.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the positioning of the arrangement 100may be such that the primary network card 102 is spaced from theauxiliary network card 112 such that air may pass therebetween. In thisway, air (generated by one or more fans or the like) may flow betweenthe primary network card 102 and the auxiliary network card 112 to allowheat generated by the networking chipset 106 and the networking cableconnectors 116 (and networking cables received therein) to dissipate viaconvective cooling. This configuration of the networking cardarrangement 100 operates to increase the surface area (e.g., the area incontact with the air flow) in order to increase the heat dissipated fromthe primary network card 102 and the auxiliary network card 112 to anexternal environment of the arrangement 100. As described above, thepositioning of the primary network card 102 and the auxiliary networkcard 112 may be such that air passing therebetween functions to preventpreheating of the air prior to contact with networking componentssupported by the network cards 102, 112.

In contrast, traditional network connections support networking elementson a single network card. As such, elements upstream (e.g., networkingchipset 106) may exchange heat with the air passing thereby (e.g., viaconvection) such that the air is preheated prior to contact withdownstream elements on the same network card, (e.g., networking cableconnectors 116) thereby reducing the heat transfer between thedownstream elements and the air. As described herein, the network cardarrangement 100 of the present disclosure employs a separate primarynetwork card 102 and auxiliary network card 112 to reduce or otherwiseprevent air preheating.

With reference to FIGS. 5-6, an alternative networking card arrangement300 including a secondary network card 302 that defines a thirdcard-to-board connection 304 is illustrated. As above, the thirdcard-to-board connection 304 may enable electrical signals to passbetween the secondary network card 302 and the server board 200. Asshown, the networking card arrangement 300 may be similar to thearrangement 100 in FIGS. 2-4, but may include an additional secondarycard 302 that supports one or more secondary networking cable connectors306 thereon. Similar to networking cable connectors 116, the one or moresecondary networking cable connectors 306 may be supported by a firstsurface 308 of the secondary network card 302 and may be configured toreceive a networking cable therein. The secondary network card 302 mayalso include a second surface 310 opposite the first surface 308 thatdoes not support networking components (e.g., print surface 310). Thealternative networking card arrangement 300 may further include asecondary card connection element 322 configured to operably connect theprimary network card 102 and the secondary network card 300 such thatelectrical signals may be transmitted therebetween. As would be evidentto one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure,the networking chipset 106 of the primary network card 102 may beconfigured to transmit and receive electrical signals to and from thesecondary network card 302, via the secondary card connection 322.

As shown in the operational configuration of FIGS. 5-6, the secondarynetwork card 302 may be configured to be received by the server board200 via the third card-to-board connection 304 such that the secondarynetwork card 302 is spaced from the primary network card 102 to allowair to pass therebetween. Furthermore, the primary network card 102 andthe secondary network card 302 may be positioned such that the firstsurface 308 of the secondary network card 302 is proximate the secondsurface 110 of the primary network card 102. This configuration of thealternative networking card arrangement 300 may operate to furtherincrease the surface area (e.g., the area in contact with air flow) inorder to increase the heat dissipated from the primary network card 102,the auxiliary network card 112, and the secondary network card 302 to anexternal environment of the arrangement 300 while also increasing thenumber of potential networking cable connections. Similar to thearrangement 100 described above, the positioning of the primary networkcard 102 and the secondary network card 302 such that air may passtherebetween may prevent preheating of air prior to contact with othernetworking components supported by the network card 102, 302.

Example Method of Manufacture

With reference to FIG. 7, a method of manufacturing a networking cardarrangement according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated.The method (e.g., method 700) may include the step of providing aprimary network card at Block 702. As described above, the primarynetwork card may define a first card-to-board connection configured to,in an operational configuration, communicably couple the primary networkcard with a server board via a corresponding element of the serverboard. The method 700 may also include supporting a networking chipseton the primary network card at Block 704. As described above, thenetworking chipset may be configured to control operation of one or morenetworking or communications components of the networking cardarrangement and may be embodied in a number of different ways and may,for example, include one or more processing devices configured toperform independently.

The method 700 may also include providing an auxiliary network card atBlock 706. The auxiliary network card may define a second card-to-boardconnection configured to, in an operational configuration, communicablycouple the auxiliary network card with a server board via acorresponding element of the server board. The method 700 may alsoinclude supporting one or more networking cable connectors on theauxiliary network card at Block 708. The networking cable connectors maybe configured to, in an operational configuration, receive a networkingcable therein. The cable connectors may also define an opening throughwhich the networking cable may be inserted into the cable connectors,and during operation, the networking cable (not shown) may transmitelectrical/optical signals to the networking cable arrangement and/ormay receive electrical/optical signals from the networking cablearrangement. In some embodiments, providing an auxiliary network card atBlock 706 may further include providing power management circuitrysupported by the auxiliary network card as described hereafter withreference to FIGS. 8A-10.

The method 700 may also include providing a card connection element atBlock 710. The card connection element may be configured to operablyconnect the primary network card and the auxiliary network card suchthat electrical signals may be transmitted therebetween. By way ofexample, the networking chipset may transmit an electrical signal fromthe primary network card via the card connection element to the cableconnectors of the auxiliary network card, and vice versa. In someembodiments, the card connection element comprises a flexible printedcircuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, the card connection elementcomprises a wire harness. The manufacturing of the networking cardarrangement may be such that the primary network card is spaced from theauxiliary network card to allow air to pass therebetween. In this way,air (generated by one or more fans or the like) may flow between theprimary network card and the auxiliary network card to allow heatgenerated by the networking chipset and the networking cable connectors(and networking cables received therein) to dissipate via convectivecooling.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Power Management

As described above, network cards and associated communication systemsmay be constrained by regulations (e.g., industry standards or the like)that limit the power supplied to a relevant connection. For example, thepower supplied to the primary network card via a card-to-boardconnection may be restricted to 75 W. As such, traditional systems mayrestrict or throttle operation of components (e.g., networking chipsetsor the like) due to the power limitations associated with thecard-to-board connection. With reference to FIGS. 8A-8B, an examplenetworking card arrangement 400 (e.g., arrangement 400) for networkconnections and dynamical power management is illustrated to addressthese issues and others.

Similar to the arrangement 100, the arrangement 400 may include aprimary network card 402, a networking chipset 406 supported by theprimary network card 402, and an auxiliary network card 412. The primarynetwork card 402 may define a first card-to-board connection 404configured to, in an operational configuration such as shown in FIGS.9-10, communicably couple the primary network card 402 with a substrate(e.g., server board 500, PCB, or the like) via a corresponding element(e.g., card slots 502 or the like) of the substrate. Similarly, theauxiliary network card 412 may define a second card-to-board connection414 configured to, in an operational configuration, communicably couplethe auxiliary network card 412 with a substrate (e.g., server board 500,PCB, or the like) via a corresponding element (e.g., card slots 502 orthe like) of the substrate. Although illustrated herein with peripheralcomponent interconnect express (PCIe) components, the present disclosurecontemplates that the connections between the primary network card 402,the auxiliary network card 412, and a substrate may be accomplished viaany interface for connecting networking components.

As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of thepresent disclosure, the card-to board connections 404, 414 may enableelectrical signals to pass between the primary network card 402 and asubstrate and the auxiliary network card 412 and the substrate.Furthermore, the card-to-board connections 404, 414 may also operate tosupply power (e.g., electrical current) to the primary network card 402and the auxiliary network card 412, respectively. In some embodiments,the server board 500 may support one or more power sources configured togenerate electrical power for supplying to the network cards 402, 412received by the server board 500 via card slots 502. In otherembodiments, the server board 500 may be electrically coupled with anexternal power source configured to generate and provide electricalpower to the network cards 402, 412 received by the server board 500. Asdescribed above, however, the electrical power provided to each networkcard 402, 412 by a respective card-to-board connection may, in someembodiments, be limited by applicable regulation.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8A-8B, the primary network card 402may define a first surface 408 configured to support the networkingchipset 406. The primary network card 402 may further define a secondsurface 410 located opposite the first surface 408 (e.g., a printsurface 410). The first surface 408 of the primary network card 402 maybe configured to support a networking chipset 406 thereon. Thenetworking chipset 406 may be configured to control operation of one ormore networking components of the arrangement 400. The networkingchipset 406 may be embodied in any number of different ways and may, forexample, include one or more processing devices configured to performindependently. Furthermore, the networking chipset 406 may be understoodto include a single core processor, a multi-core processor, and/or thelike. By way of example, the networking chipset 406 may be configured toexecute instructions stored in a memory or otherwise accessible to oneor more processors of the networking chipset 406. Alternatively oradditionally, the networking chipset 406 may be configured to executehard-coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or bya combination of hardware with software, the networking chipset 406 mayrepresent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable ofperforming operations according to an embodiment of the presentinvention while configured accordingly. Although the first surface 408of the primary network card 402 is illustrated and described herein withreference to a single networking chipset 406, the present disclosurecontemplates that the primary network card 402 may support and/or defineother networking elements (e.g., electrical traces, memory, circuitry,and/or the like) based upon the intended application of the arrangement400. The networking chipset 406 may, at least partially, be powered byelectrical current supplied to the primary network card 402 via thefirst card-to-board connection 404.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8A-8B, the networking card arrangement400 (e.g., arrangement 400) may also include an auxiliary network card412 that may define a first surface 418 configured to support powermanagement circuitry 401 as described hereafter. Similar to the primarynetwork card 402, the auxiliary network card 412 may also define asecond surface 420 located opposite the first surface 418 (e.g., a printsurface 420). The second surface 420 of the auxiliary network card 412may, due to applicable regulations, define a print surface or side inwhich no networking components are supported.

The networking card arrangement 400 may further define a card connectionelement 422 configured to operably connect the primary network card 402and the auxiliary network card 412 such that electrical signals may betransmitted therebetween. By way of example, the networking chipset 406may transmit an electrical signal from the primary network card 402 viathe card connection element 422 to the cable connectors 416 of theauxiliary network card 412, and vice versa. As described above, theelectrical signals transmitted between the primary network card 402 andthe auxiliary network card 412 via the card connection element 422 mayrefer to electrical power (e.g., supplied electrical current) configuredto power operation of components of the networking card arrangement 400.In some embodiments, the card connection element 422 comprises aflexible printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, the cardconnection element 422 comprises a wire harness. While illustratedherein with a flexible PCB as the card connection element 422, thepresent disclosure contemplates that any connection feature forproviding high speed electrical communication between the primarynetwork card 402 and the auxiliary network card 412 may be used.

With reference to FIGS. 9-10, the auxiliary network card 412 may supportpower management circuitry 401. In an operational configuration in whichthe primary network card 402 and the auxiliary network card 412 arereceived by a server board 500 via the first card-to-board connection404 and the second card-to-board connection 414, the power managementcircuitry 401 may be configured to direct power from the auxiliarynetwork card 412 to the networking chipset 406 of the primary networkcard 402 via the card connection element 422. As described herein, thepower management circuitry 401 may include any number of power supplies,electrical traces or connections, and/or controller elements configuredto direct electrical power (e.g., electrical current and voltage) fromthe auxiliary network card 412 to the primary network card 402 toincrease the power available to the components of the primary networkcard 402. Although described herein with reference to electrical powerdirected to the networking chipset 406 of the primary network card 402,the present disclosure contemplates that power from the auxiliarynetwork card 412 may be directed to any component of the primary networkcard 402.

In some embodiments, the power management circuitry 401 may include apower source (e.g., battery, connection to external power source, or thelike) configured to generate power. By way of example, the powermanagement circuitry 401 may include a battery (not shown) or equivalentpower source configured to generate power for directing from theauxiliary network card 412 to the primary network card 402. Powermanagement circuitry 401 may include a current limiter that limits themaximum current that is drawn from card slot 502 to the maximum currentallowed by the relevant specification. Power management circuitry 401may also include a voltage regulator unit that allow voltage adjustment(e.g. reducing voltage) to match the necessary voltage per the targetcircuitry. By way of a particular example, electrical current at anyvoltage may be generated by the power management circuitry 401 (e.g.,power source) and carried via one or more electrical traces defined bythe auxiliary network card 412 to the card connection element 422. Thecard connection element 422 operably connected between the primarynetwork card 402 and the auxiliary network card 412 may transmit theelectrical power generated by the power management circuitry 401 to thenetworking chipset 406. In this way, the power available to thenetworking chipset 406 may be increased without altering the powersupplied to the primary network card 402 by the server board 500 aslimited by applicable regulations.

The power management circuitry 401 may, in some embodiments, includepassive circuitry (e.g., electrical connections, traces, etc.)configured to direct power supplied from the auxiliary network card 412.As described above, the auxiliary network card 412 may receiveelectrical power, in the operational configuration, from the serverboard 500 via the second card-to-board connection 414. The powermanagement circuitry 401 may include electrical connections configuredto direct at least a portion of the power received by the secondcard-to-board connection 414 to the primary network card 402 via thecard connection element 422. The card connection element 422 operablyconnected between the primary network card 402 and the auxiliary networkcard 412 may transmit the electrical power received by the auxiliarynetwork card 412 at the second card-to-board connection 414 to thenetworking chipset 406. As above, the power available to the networkingchipset 406 may be increased without altering the power supplied to theprimary network card 402 by the server board 500 as limited byapplicable regulations.

In some instances, the auxiliary network card 412 may not supportadditional components such that the entirety of the power received atthe second card-to-board connection 414 is directed from the auxiliarynetwork card 412 to the networking chipset 406 of the primary networkcard 402. In other embodiments, however, additional components asdescribed hereafter may be supported by the auxiliary network card 412such that the power management circuitry 401 directs at least a portionof the power received at the second card-to-board connection 414 to thenetworking chipset 406. Although described herein with reference topower management circuitry 401 (e.g., passive circuitry) of theauxiliary card 412, the present disclosure contemplates that the primarynetwork card 402 may additionally or alternatively include powermanagement circuitry configured to direct at least a portion of thepower received by the primary network card 402 at the firstcard-to-board connection 404 to the auxiliary network card 412. Saiddifferently, the transmission of electrical power may flow from theprimary network card 402 to the auxiliary network card 412 in order topower components supported by the auxiliary network card 412.

In some embodiments, the arrangement 400 may include cable connectors(e.g., cable connectors 116 in FIG. 1B) configured to, in an operationalconfiguration, receive a networking cable (not shown) therein. Asdescribed above, the power supplied to the primary card 402 via thefirst card-to-board connection 404 may be limited by a standardspecification. In conventional systems in which cable connectors arelocated on a single network card, the power supplied to the network cardby the associated card-to-board connector may be insufficient to powereach of the components supported by the network card and the networkingcables (e.g., active optical modules or the like) received by thenetwork card via the cable connectors. As such, the power provided tothese traditional systems may operate to restrict, throttle, orotherwise limit the operation of the components of the network cardand/or the networking cables. In order to address these issues andothers, the arrangement 400 of the present disclosure may supportnetworking cable connectors on an auxiliary network card 412 such thatpower received by the auxiliary network card 412 via the secondcard-to-board connector 414 may power the networking cables received bythe networking cable connectors.

The cable connectors may define an opening (e.g., opening 117 in FIG.1A) through which the networking cable may be inserted into the cableconnectors, and during operation, the networking cable (not shown) maytransmit electrical/optical signals to the arrangement 400 and/or mayreceive electrical/optical signals from the arrangement 400. In such anembodiment, the power management circuitry 401 may direct a portion ofthe power received by the auxiliary network card 412 via the secondcard-to-board connection 414 to one or more of the cable connectors forpowering, in whole or in part, the networking cables (not shown)inserted therein. In such an embodiment, the networking cables (notshown) received by the cable connectors may similarly transmit power(e.g., generated by components of the networking cable or the like) tothe auxiliary network card 412. The power management circuitry 401 may,for example, direct at least a portion of the power supplied to theauxiliary network card 412 from one or more networking cables receivedby the one or more networking cable connectors to the networking chipset406 of the primary network card 402.

In some embodiments, the power management circuitry 401 may includeactive circuitry (e.g., transistors, amplifiers, voltage regulators, acontroller, a computing device, etc.) configured to selectively directpower to the networking chipset 406 of the primary network card 402. Insuch an embodiment, the power management circuitry 401 may be embodiedin any number of different ways and may, for example, include one ormore processing devices configured to perform independently.Furthermore, the power management circuitry 401 (e.g., controller) maybe understood to include a single core processor, a multi-coreprocessor, and/or the like. By way of example, the power managementcircuitry 401 (e.g. controller) may be configured to executeinstructions stored in a memory or otherwise accessible to one or moreprocessors of the power management circuitry 401 (e.g. controller).Alternatively or additionally, the power management circuitry 401 (e.g.controller) may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality. Assuch, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardwarewith software, the power management circuitry 401 (e.g. controller) mayrepresent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable ofperforming operations according to an embodiment of the presentinvention while configured accordingly.

In an instance in which the power management circuitry 401 includes acontroller or equivalent computing device, the power managementcircuitry 401 may be configured to receive instructions from thenetworking chipset 406 indicating a need to increase or decrease thepower directed to the networking chipset 406 from the auxiliary networkcard 412. By way of example, the networking chipset 406 may transmitinstructions or a request to increase the power directed to the primarynetwork card 402. In response, the power management circuitry 401 (e.g.controller) may increase the amount of power received by the auxiliarynetwork card 412 (e.g., from a power source, from the secondcard-to-board connection 414, from a networking cable, etc.) that isdirected to the networking chipset 406. Similarly, the networkingchipset 406 may transmit instructions or a request to decrease the powerdirected to the primary network card 402. In response, the powermanagement circuitry 401 (e.g. controller) may decrease the amount ofpower received by the auxiliary network card 412 (e.g., from a powersource, from the second card-to-board connection 414, from a networkingcable, etc.) that is directed to the networking chipset 406.

Although described herein with reference to instructions or requestsgenerated by the networking chipset 406 and directed to the powermanagement circuitry 401, the present disclosure contemplates thatinstructions may also be user inputted or transmitted by anothercomputing device or controller communicably coupled with the networkingcable arrangement 400. For example, the present disclosure contemplatesthat the primary network card 402 may additionally or alternativelyinclude power management circuitry (e.g., active circuitry) configuredto receive instructions (e.g., from the networking chipset 406, othercomponents of the primary network card 402, and/or other components ofthe auxiliary network card 412) indicating a need to increase ordecrease the power directed to the auxiliary network card 412 from theprimary network card 402. Said differently, the transmission ofelectrical power may flow from the primary network card 402 to theauxiliary network card 412 in order to power components supported by theauxiliary network card 412.

In other embodiments, the power management circuitry 401 (e.g.controller) may operate to selectively direct power to the networkingchipset 406 based upon determinations by the power management circuitry401. By way of example, in some embodiments, the power managementcircuitry 401 (e.g. controller) may be coupled to various sensors orother components of the networking card arrangement 400 in order tomonitor various parameters of these components. By way of example, thepower management circuitry 401 (e.g. controller) may be communicablycoupled with the networking chipset 406 via the card connection element422 and configured to monitor or determine a power output and/or inputof the networking chipset 406. By way of additional example, the powermanagement circuitry 401 (e.g. controller) may similarly be communicablycoupled to one or more networking cables received by the networking cardarrangement 400 and configured to monitor or determine a powerrequirement associated with these networking cables. In response to anyparameter received or determined by the power management circuitry 401(e.g. controller), the power management circuitry 401 (e.g. controller)may selectively direct power to the networking chipset 406 or othercomponent in order to address related power requirements. In this way,the networking card arrangement 400 may dynamically redistribute poweramongst regulation limited network cards.

Similar to the alternative networking card arrangement 300 describedabove with reference to FIGS. 5-6, the networking card arrangement 400may also include a secondary network card (not shown) that defines athird card-to-board connection (not shown). As above, the thirdcard-to-board connection (not shown) may enable electrical signals topass between the secondary network card (not shown) and the server board500. The additional secondary card may also support power managementcircuitry (not shown) configured to direct power received by thesecondary card (e.g., via a power supply, the third card-to-boardconnection, networking cables, etc.) to the networking chipset 406 ofthe primary network card 402. The power management circuitry of thesecondary card may operate similar to that described with reference toFIGS. 8A-10.

1. A networking card arrangement comprising: a primary network card,wherein the primary network card defines a first card-to-boardconnection; a networking chipset supported by the primary network card;an auxiliary network card, wherein the auxiliary network card defines asecond card-to-board connection; power management circuitry; and a cardconnection element configured to operably connect the primary networkcard and the auxiliary network card such that electrical signals may betransmitted therebetween, wherein, in an operational configuration inwhich the primary network card and the auxiliary network card arereceived by a server board via the first card-to-board connection andthe second card-to-board connection, the power management circuitry isconfigured to direct power between the auxiliary network card and theprimary network card via the card connection element.
 2. The networkingcard arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the primary network cardfurther defines a first surface supporting the networking chipset and asecond surface opposite the first surface.
 3. The networking cardarrangement according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary network cardfurther defines a first surface supporting the power managementcircuitry and a second surface opposite the first surface such that thepower management circuitry is configured to direct power from theauxiliary network card to the primary network card via the cardconnection element.
 4. The networking card arrangement according toclaim 3, wherein, in the operational configuration, the primary networkcard and the auxiliary network card are positioned such that the firstsurface of the primary network card is proximate the second surface ofthe auxiliary network card.
 5. The networking card arrangement accordingto claim 1, wherein the primary network card further defines a firstsurface supporting the networking chipset and the power managementcircuitry and a second surface opposite the first surface such that thepower management circuitry is configured to direct power from theprimary network card to the auxiliary network card via the cardconnection element.
 6. The networking card arrangement according toclaim 1, wherein the card connection element comprises a flexibleprinted circuit board (PCB) or wire harness.
 7. The networking cardarrangement according to claim 1, wherein the power management circuitryfurther comprises a power source configured to generate power fordirecting to the networking chipset of the primary network card.
 8. Thenetworking card arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the powermanagement circuitry is further configured to, in the operationalconfiguration, direct power supplied to the auxiliary network card bythe second card-to-board connection to the primary network card.
 9. Thenetworking card arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising oneor more networking cable connectors supported on the auxiliary networkcard, wherein each networking cable connector is configured to receive anetworking cable therein, and wherein the power management circuitry isfurther configured to direct power supplied to the auxiliary networkcard from one or more networking cables received by the one or morenetworking cable connectors to the networking chipset of the primarynetwork card.
 10. The networking card arrangement according to claim 1,wherein the power management circuitry further comprises a controllerconfigured to selectively direct power between the auxiliary networkcard and the primary network card.
 11. A method of manufacturing anetworking card arrangement, the method comprising: providing a primarynetwork card, wherein the primary network card defines a firstcard-to-board connection; supporting a networking chipset on the primarynetwork card; providing an auxiliary network card, wherein the auxiliarynetwork card defines a second card-to-board connection; providing powermanagement circuitry; and providing a card connection element configuredto operably connect the primary network card and the auxiliary networkcard such that electrical signals may be transmitted therebetween,wherein, in an operational configuration in which the primary networkcard and the auxiliary network card are received by a server board viathe first card-to-board connection and the second card-to-boardconnection, the power management circuitry is configured to direct powerbetween the auxiliary network card and the primary network card via thecard connection element.
 12. The method according to claim 11, whereinthe primary network card further defines a first surface supporting thenetworking chipset and a second surface opposite the first surface. 13.The method according to claim 12, wherein the auxiliary network cardfurther defines a first surface supporting the power managementcircuitry and a second surface opposite the first surface such that thepower management circuitry is configured to direct power from theauxiliary network card to the primary network card via the cardconnection element.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, inthe operational configuration, the primary network card and theauxiliary network card are positioned such that the first surface of theprimary network card is proximate the second surface of the auxiliarynetwork card.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the primarynetwork card further defines a first surface supporting the networkingchipset and the power management circuitry and a second surface oppositethe first surface such that the power management circuitry is configuredto direct power from the primary network card to the auxiliary networkcard via the card connection element.
 16. The method according to claim11, wherein the card connection element comprises a flexible printedcircuit board (PCB) or wire harness.
 17. The method according to claim11, wherein the power management circuitry further comprises a powersource configured to generate power for directing to the networkingchipset of the primary network card.
 18. The method according to claim11, wherein the power management circuitry is further configured to, inthe operational configuration, direct power supplied to the auxiliarynetwork card by the second card-to-board connection to the primarynetwork card.
 19. The method according to claim 11, further comprisingsupporting one or more networking cable connectors on the auxiliarynetwork card, wherein each networking cable connector is configured toreceive a networking cable therein, and wherein the power managementcircuitry is further configured to direct power supplied to theauxiliary network card from one or more networking cables received bythe one or more networking cable connectors to the networking chipset ofthe primary network card.
 20. The method according to claim 11, whereinthe power management circuitry further comprises a controller configuredto selectively direct power between the auxiliary network card and theprimary network card.